palmer



(No Model.)

Nl 2 @i 3 Sheets--Sheet l.' G. E. PALMER.

STEAM BOILER FURNAGE.

Patented Jan. 3,1882.

. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. E. PALMER.

STEAM BOILER FURNAGE.

,(N Model.)

Patented Jan. 3,1882.

WITNEEEEE (No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet s.

G; E. PALMER. STEAM `B-OILER ]EU R1\IAGB. No. 251,791. Patented-Jan. 3,1882? WTNESEEE INVENTDH W MM d Mk1 VMUQM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. PALMER, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS', AssIGNon 'ro THE Ennooox t a wILooxooMPANY, OE NEW YORK, N. Y.

*STEAM-Bol LER FURNAoi-L SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 310,251,791, dated January e, Issa.

" Application filed August 12, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE E. PALMER,of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented ccrtain'new andyuseful Improvements relating toV Steam-Boiler Furnaces; and I do hereby declare that `the following is a full and exact description thereof.

I `employ an inclined grate to `promote a traverse of the fuel from the upper to the lower 1o portion of the grateas required. The fuel is supplied through a ,hopper extending across the whole upper side of the grate. i It becomes heated by its contiguity to the furnace, and so soon as `it touches and begins to receive air through the grate its gas ignites and burns; but the supply of air at this stage of its progress is too little Afor complete combustion.

I proposeto use in this furnace mainly those varieties of coal which, when heated, give oft' zo largcvolumes of volatile combustible matterin other words, to use the bituminous or blazing coal. In the treatment of the upper portion of the inclined grate only partial combustion is attained; but a large proportionof the .volatile material is lgiven off and rises, miugled with carbonio oxide, both gases capable ot' further and intense combustion `under proper conditions. Ifthese gases are allowed` in this condition to strike the cooler surfaces `of the 5o boiler, they part with their heat and escape unconsumed into the atmosphere, producing .visible and offensive smoke. I defend the cool surfaces of thelboiler against the conta-ct of the gases in this condition. The furnace 55 has what I term a deep hanging bridge,7 of fire-brick or analogous material, capable of `enduring a high temperature, which divides its upper portion into two compartments or chambers. ln the first the combustible gases 4o are liberated and mixed with air and the whole at a high temperature brought to such condition that, on its passage under the` hanging bridge and receiving additional air, complete combustion, with the production of intense heat, ensues. 'The air supplied tothis volume' of combustible gas in the second chamber of the furnace is itself at a high temperature. What takes place there is really the combination of a hot mixture in whichthere is an excess of the combustible gas with a hot' mix- 5o ture in which there is an excess of air.

I have demonstrated by experimentthat the construction and mode of operation shown result in a complete combustion of all that is combustible in the fuel withlittle labor or skill. A marked gain results from the invention. I present what I believe to be the correct theory, but I do not re'st the claim on the correctness of the theory.

The accompanying drawings form a part of 6othis specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying ont the invention.

Figure l is a central longitudinal section through the entire furnace and boiler. Fig. 2 65 is a central longitudinal section through the main portion otA the furnace on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a front-view of the same, partly in section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corref 7o sponding parts in all the figures.

My boiler is of the style known asBabcock 85 Wilcox.77

A A, Snc., are the barrels, horizontal cylinders,:ot` twentylZO) or more inches in diameter, of which there may be a number side by side, but only one is shown; B, a series of inclined tubes, say, four (4) inches in diameter; C and D, connections which allow a constant circulation from the barrelsA down through 8o D, forward through B, and up through O.

E is a muddrnm, extending across under the rear and connected at a sufficient number of points.

G is a horizontal transverse tube ol", say, six (6) inches in diameter. It is'connectcd by pipes g (with the otherportionsof the boiler. Thepipe g' leadsfroni the back connection, D, and brings water into one end of theApipe-G. The pipe g2 leads upward from the other end 9o of G, and conveys into the barrel a current of water liberally mingled with steam, which is generated during the passage through the pipe G;

I employ an inclined grate, having horizonY g5 tal grate-bars assembled Vin two systems, each system having horizontal bars, arranged in groups, which alternate with the bars of the other series-that is to say, there are five stationa'ry'barsJ, at the top of the'incline, then a considerable interval, and ve more stationary bars, similarly marked, ata lower point, then an interval, and iive more, and so on. These bars are bolted to or4 otherwise supported on the fixed work at the sides, andare never moved except in repairing or exchanging. Another system, J, is in similar divided sets, having a corresponding number of horizontal bars connected together on a sufficient framing, J', with freedom to be moved considerably forward and back.

K'K' are levers o`r movable arms, extending upward from sleeves K and engaging with J'. These levers are free to rock or oscillate on sufficient fixed shafts or round bars 7c. The lowermost sleeve, K, has a socket which .receives a hand-lever, L. By moving the lever L up and down, either constantly or at intervals, the entire series of levers K' K' is rocked and the alternate sections of grate J are moved forwardY and backward between the fixed sections I.

W W' is a crank shaft, rotated slowly by a belt or gearing from the engine. (Not represented.)

X is a loop of small chain,leading from the crank W', and taking hold of the hand-lever L.. When this chain is -thus engaged it will automatically rock the grate. The point of connection of the chain X with the lever L maybe shiftedinward and outward, and thereby the extent of the motion varied. When it is shifted outward to its farthest extent ,the movement is only suficientto take up the lost motion in the connections, andthereis no actual shaking of the grate. When it is shifted inward but little the grate is shaken slightly by the moderate rotation of the crank. Under many conditions the attendant may after a few trials find a point in which this chain may be so adjusted that the fuel will be slowly worked down in the grate automatically as required.

M is the front sideof a sufeien tl y capacious hopper,into which the fuel is introduced, either constantly or at intervals. the hopper is an inclined hollow casing, O, of cast-iron or other suitable material, through which atmospheric air is distributed into the furnace through apertures o. The air is admitted to the case O, at one or both sides of the furnace, through au adjustable register, N.

P is a horizontal grate, extending from the inclined grate I J to the bridge-wall or back masonry, F, which bounds the fire space. This grate P is mounted sufficiently below the firegrate, as indicated, to allow of slicing between. A considerable part ot' the front side of the grate P is covered by a dead-plate, P'. Ordinary provisions (not shown) allow this grate P to be shaken or dropped when necessary.

The pipe G forms the lower edge of a hanging bridge, which is composed of fire-brick or other suitable refractory material, R, yand extends up to the lowermost of the inclined tubes The back face of- B. The spaces between these lowermosttubes, B, from the top of this bridge R forward, are closed by fire-bricks .or other suitable non-conducting material, R', forming a nearly horizontal tightplatforin. This platform or flooring It', which I term the "lower" platform, and the 'nearly vertical bridge R, with the stout water-tube G at the base of the latter, perform theimportant function of separating the front portion of the fire-chamber from the rear portion thereof and from the space be tween the tubes above. They com-pel the gases rising from the upper and main portion of the inclined grate I J to descend and pass close to the ysurface of the more advanced and thoroughly-coked fuel on the lower portion of the inclined'grate I J and on the horizontal grate P. Care must be taken to rock the lever L sufficiently to move the fuel down, but not so much as -to move it too fast and cause it toV accumulate too thickly at the bottom. A sufficient space must be left for the gases generated in the front chamber, m, to pass under the pipe G, and consequently under the entire hanging bridge G R, into the rear chamber, y. At this point theymeet and mingle with a current of *hot gases, composed largely of atmospheric air'whic'h has passed upl through the coke and cinde'r resting on the horizontal grate P in the base of the furnace. The combustible elements in the solid portions are completely burned by receiving a large excess of fresh air on the grate P. The hot gas rising from the fuel on P has much free oxygen. The two opposite grades of gas mingle and complete the combustion of the volatile elements in the chamber yin rear of the pipe G. The combustion is unusually intense. The flame is bright and short. It will now be seen that all the volatile elements of the fuel are utilized IOO by disengaging them in the front chamber, x,

and sending them downward and rearward at a high temperature, mingled with not nearly air enough for the combustion, and then presenting them in the chambery to a current of highly-heated but relatively fresh air at a high temperature, which has been inducted through-the thoroughly utilized solid fuel at the bottom. It is easyto so conduct this operation that the combustion will be complete, nothing bein'g left on the grate P but earthy matter, and nothing going up the chimney but completelyburned gases. .The hot gases resulting from the complete combustion in the chamber y move upward through the zigzag spaces between the tubes B, and are, by the crosspartition T and a nearly horizontal connected platform, T', compelledv to traverse forward. They move upward past the front edge of what I term the upper-7' platform, T', then rearward, bathing the barrels A, then downward between the cross-partition T and another cross-partition, U,imparting more of their heat to the tubes B, and, after moving rearward in IIO the space under thelatter, they rise and again i the tubes B and are discharged into. a stack.

(Not represented.)

The provisions for utilizing the heat devel-v oped are closely `analogous to those in the ori dinary Babcock St Wilcox boiler. My invention pertains mainly to the means for insuring 'a uniform andncomplete combustion ofthe fuel i to accumulate a sufficient quantity of cinders and ashes, or offuel in a half-burned condition, andto hold such matter there in a relatively cool state. This enables me to allow a considerable space between the lower edge of the inclined grate and the top of the grate P without realizing such a heat there as to melt the iron or do any other lnischief. y

L' is a portable weight, provided-with a hook or other convenientmeans of attachm ent,which may be removed whenever it is desired to shake the lever L, and consequently the frame J and bars `J by hand. The chain X being removed, either by slipping its loop olf the end of the hand-lever L or by disconnecting a hook or other simple attachment from the lever L or from the crank W', or-from both, the lever L may be vibrated up and down as vigorously as the exigency requires. Under more favorable conditions, the chain X being connected to the crank W at the top and to such point in in the hand-lever as shall be found to give such sufficient reciprocation to thelever, a moderate `motion maybe maintained constantly. The

leverl L may be` notched on the under side to hold the chain against shifting its position, and also, if desired, on the upper side to hold the weight L in position.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions within wide limits. I can adjust the angle of the f1 esh-air casing() by the einployment of chipping-pieces at the surfaces of v contact, which can be chipped oft', tiled, or oth erwise changed as experience with a given kind of fuel shall dictate. I can work with some success without the casing O. I can introduce a greater or less number of bars in each ofthe horizontal sections I and J. I can, ifdesired, have every alternate bar stationaryand every intermediate bar movable ,'but I prefer the arrangement showu with alternate sets or groups of tive, or about that number, movable, and a corresponding, or nearly corresponding, numberstationary.

Bituminous fuels vary greatly, not o..ly in their chemical constituents, ,but in their me-y chanical conditions in burning. Large lumps of fuel may require a removable cover on the hopper M to prevent air from entering the furnace through the large interstices.

rIhe throw of the crank NV may be varied by shifting the crank-pin in a radial slot, or otherwise so as to vary the extent of motion of the chain X.

t In place of the chain X, I can substitute a rigid link, with a hook or other ordinary means b of engaging with the lever L. I can substitute another lever to serve in this relation in-4 dependent ot' the hand-lever L. I esteem it important that the automatic motion be capable of easy adjustment, and also of being thrown out of use entirely to allowthe' grate to be shaken by hand when desired.

I attach much importance to the fact that the hanging bridge R and the lower platform or furnace-root', R', are not water-surfaces, but fire-brick or analogous material adapted to assume and maintain a high temperature, so that the gases will be first mixed with air in limited proportions, and distilled into combustible gas and burned into carbonio oxide at so high teniperature that all the matter will be throughly' combined, and then that thegases thus produced will, after passing under the hanging bridge, be exposed to and mingled with the hut y gases rising from the lower portion of the furnace containing an excess of air under such `conditions that al1 the particles will be also there combined,tproducing carbonio acid.- I

incase the water-tube G in suitably-formed firebricks, to prevent it from direct exposure to the hot gases, and thus avoid the refrigerating yeffect'which it Iwould otherwise produce. A

My furnace, having the properly-.formed chambers y thus bounded by surfaces which may he raised to avery high temperature, is very different from any, however closely approaching it in form, in Which the surfaces are naked portions of'a boiler filled with water, `and consequently maintained at a relativelylow temperature. It is important that the chambers be so proportioned as to allow a proper space with no great Asurplus of space for the two operations-that is to say, the production of hot combustible gas in the first chamber, or, and the burning it completely under the conditions prescribed in the second chamber, y. The proportions may require to be' varied with different kinds of fuel and different conditions with regard to draft. My experiments indicate the proportions shown are about right for using soft coal from the Illinois bed burned with natural draft. y

"I can use the other parts of the invention successfully, with the substitution ot' an ordinary stationary grate inclined the same as here shown, or a little more nearly horizontal, and supplied with fuel by shovelingthrough a door instead of distributing' through a hopper. M y most successful experiments with this furnace have thus far been made with such stationary grate.

Pai ts of the apparatus may be used without the whole; but I prefer to employ the whole, combined and arranged about as shown. VVherea number ot' the furnaces-are employed side `by side one shaft, W, may extend across IIOO IIO

IIS

not here claim the grate orthe arrangements for working it. Such will form the subject ofa separate application for patent.

I claim as my invention-,- Y

1. The hanging bridge R and lower platform, R', in combination with the back masonry, F, partition T, and upper platform, T', and with the boiler A, inclined tubes B, and eonnec'ions C and D, as herein specified.

2. The ease O, having provisions for receiving and distributing; air arranged at the front of the i'urnaee and receiving air in adjustable quantities from the side 0r sides, in combination with a hopper and with a hanging bridge and an inclined grate, as herein specified.

3. In a furnace formed in two partially-separated chambers, the first lined With nou-conducting material on all sides and above, and the second similarly lined on all sides, an inclined grate with provisions for feeding fuel slowly. down thereon, a hanging bridge, and a transverse tube, G, having connections g g2 to a steam-boiler, A, combined and arranged to serve as herein specified.

4. The methodherein set forth of obtaining l the complete combustion of partly solid and partly volatile fuel by first distilling o the volatile matter and partially burning the solid matter in a chamber inclosed within non-conducting Walls, then discharging both the ga seous and the remaining solid matter at an eX- traordiuary tem peratureinto asecond chamber, also inclosed, or nearly so, Within non-conducting Walls, in which second chamber the solid matter is completely burned with an excess of air and the gases therefrom mingled with the gaseous matter from the first chamber, all substantially as herein specified.

1n testimony WhereofI have hereunto set my hand, this 8th day of July, 1881, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. E. PALMER.

Witnesses: l

SAML. R. BULLooK, A. WORTHINGTON. 

